A woman stole more than £21,000 from her employer John Lewis to pay for a trip to New York and gifts for her grandchildren, a court has heard.

Christine Fudge, 59, from Ashdene Close in Cardiff , stole £21,800 over two years while she was working at the department store.

Speaking to Fudge at Cardiff Crown Court , Judge Jonathan Furness QC told her: “For a period of somewhere between 18 months and two years you stole money from your employer. As a result of that you have lost your clean character and brought shame upon yourself and your family.”

He said Fudge has since lost her job and that he doubts whether she will be able to find another job.

The court heard that Fudge stole the money partly to supplement her income but also to fund a trip to New York and to buy gifts for her grandchildren.